Client News

Mr Harris has worked with the hotel since its development in 1998 and has delivered a distinguished design retaining the hotel’s charming alpine character. His brief was to firmly reflect the Central Otago landscape, and to bring a sense of cocooning and serenity to the special location.

Hotel St Moritz General Manager Jo Finnigan expressed her delight with the new look and is certain that the renovation will continue to elevate the boutique hotel in the luxury market.

“Hotel St Moritz’s unique personality is perfectly matched with the open-minded character of the MGallery by Sofitel brand, and I’m delighted with how Stewart has animated our personality through this design,” she says.

“Stewart’s design embodies the style, stories and allure of Queenstown with a whimsical twist. He cleverly brings together ‘charming’ with ‘luxury’.

“The refurbishment demonstrates our owner’s obsession with quality and I’m convinced we’ll remain a one-of-a-kind as ‘there’s zero homogeny in this building’!”

Rooms feature carefully selected artwork showcasing local rural fauna, including an earnest Hare fondly named Bruce after a regular guest.

A touch of Scottish heritage married with the region’s charm comes to the fore with tartan cushions offset with deep velvets in rich ochre, deep teal and copper. Autumnal colours throughout also reflect the local landscape.

The thoughtful touches include bespoke gold and cream herringbone woollen throws in each suite, designed by Ms Finnigan.

Kitchenettes in each suite have been replaced with a modern wet bar, albeit functional kitchen appliances such as toasters and microwaves remain. All suites now feature a Nespresso machine for those essential coffee moments.

Staying connected to the outside world is easy with new and enhanced cabling ensuring high-speed internet and brand-new Smart TV’s featured throughout the hotel bring a new level of entertainment to the property.

Hotel St Moritz was developed by owner and original developer Graham Wilkinson in 1998. The hotel is currently New Zealand’s only MGallery by Sofitel property, joining a collection of 90 boutique hotels around the world.

AccorHotels Senior Vice President Operations, New Zealand, Fiji and Polynesia Gillian Millar says today’s guests are enamoured by the MGallery by Sofitel brand, seeking to “show in, rather than show off”.

“Hotel St Moritz in Queenstown embodies the understated luxury of the brand, and this tremendous refurbishment reinforces that,” she says.

“Their timing is impeccable, as Queenstown’s visitor demand is unprecedented, particularly at the luxury end of the spectrum.”

Click here to visit Hotel St Moritz’s website.

Picture caption:

1/ Designer Stewart Harris brings the allure of Central Otago into Hotel St Moritz

The development is being driven by GYP Properties Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Singapore public-listed Global Yellow Pages Limited, and marketed by the Bayleys Realty Group.

Established local civil contractor Andrew Haulage has been appointed to carry out earthworks and roading, and the first sod was turned late last month with machinery already on site.

An announcement on the appointment of the building company will follow soon.

Fifty-six homes in Stage One went on the market just over two months ago, ranging in price from $860,000 to $985,000. Buyer enquiry has been strong, and only a handful of homes remain on sale in Stage One, which is scheduled for completion by the summer of 2018/19.

Bayleys Project Sales Manager John Greenwood said the company was “delighted” with the response to date.

“A good majority of enquiry in Queenstown has been from those walking in to our display suite in the Five Mile retail and business centre, just across the road from the development,” he said.

“Potential buyers have been showing high levels of interest when coming through, with real interest from the local market as well as Auckland.

“Buyers are a good mix of owner-occupiers who see the location as being at the heart of the ‘new Queenstown’, and investors who see the real need for permanent rental accommodation in the town.”

The proximity to four local ski fields makes the residences highly desirable for skiers and travellers, so those investing from elsewhere can enjoy excellent rental returns.

Master planning around the development ensures residents and visitors will be surrounded by exciting lifestyle amenities, including retail and dining.

The development offers flexibility for a range of potential buyers with a wide variety of house designs and configurations. These architecturally-designed homes include three to five-bedroom options, some with additional studio or office spaces. The ‘less-than-$1m’ price tag has been seen as “fantastic value” for many buyers to date.

The display suite at Five Mile Centre is open 10am to 4pm daily with local realtors Sheryl Williams and Mark Martin from Bayleys Queenstown available to meet potential buyers. To register interest or request further information go to www.remarkablesresidences.co.nz

About Remarkables Residences

Master-planned by Development Advisory Services and designed by Auckland-based Ignite Architects, these are well-built, stylish and low-maintenance homes that are a very modern interpretation of popular developments of this kind.

Different building forms within each street offer individuality amidst a community, while each residence is thoughtfully designed to optimise sun and natural light. Quality fixtures and fittings are used alongside energy-efficient design elements for year-round comfort.

Green spaces incorporated in the development include a main public square and smaller Pocket Parks throughout the area. There are good links to surrounding biking and walking tracks, as well as easy access to public transport.

Remarkables Residences is in one of the most accessible parts of Queenstown, close to the airport and a very short walk to retail and hospitality outlets. It is just 15 minutes from central Queenstown and Arrowtown, and 30 minutes to ski fields.

Picture caption:

1/ The Remarkables Residences development uses neighbourhood architecture to create unique streetscapes

Being a part of the VIK Programme is easy and free for families. It’s as simple as picking up a green wrist band for the kids on check-in, a band that unlocks over $300 savings at some of Rotorua’s top family attractions.

To receive the discounts, all families need to do is show the green band at their chosen attraction. The logos of each attraction are on the band and families get a detailed booklet explaining what’s on offer at each one.

The discounts are for attractions and activities including OGO, aMAZEme, Rainbow Springs, Agrodome, Agroventures Adventure Park, Motion Entertainment, Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village and Mountain Bike Rotorua.

The value-for-money programme also includes free meals for kids 12 and younger at Holiday Inn Rotorua’s Chapman’s Restaurant, renowned for its delicious selection of buffet dishes suitable for all ages, taste buds and even the fussiest of eaters.

With this year’s Term Three holidays starting on September 30, one lucky family has the chance to win a two-night relaxing family break at Holiday Inn Rotorua including family passes to any of the attractions in the VIK programme.

Entering is easy – just head to the hotel’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HolidayInnRotorua/ and guess how many green bands are in the jar before 9pm on September 24 2017.

The first person to correctly guess the number (or the closest to) will win the prize for their family, to be used by December 31 2017. The prize is for two adults and two children 12 years or younger, and does not include travel to, from or within Rotorua. (Some blackout dates may apply.)

General Manager Kent Breeze said there was no ‘catch’ in the competition or the range of programmes on offer.

“We just put families at the heart of everything we do because we know how important it is for parents to have the relaxing break they deserve while the kids are taken care of,” he said.

“The family-first concept began in 1952 when a father named Kemmons Wilson was sick of being charged extra to have kids at hotels, so he started his own hotel company where kids were not only welcomed but they got to stay and eat for free.

“That was the beginning of the Holiday Inn brand and that same concept still applies today at Holiday Inn Rotorua where we’re committed to providing family-friendly travel options.”

Mr Breeze said the Kids Stay & Eat programme had always been a huge success, and the VIK package just added to the overall experience.

“The attractions we’ve partnered with are fantastic, offering something for all the family to enjoy. Kids can be entertained, educated, enthralled, and of course re-fuelled at our famous Chapman’s Buffet, and the savings are well worth it. All you have to do is choose to stay at Holiday Inn Rotorua.”

Located next to the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and Redwoods Forest, Holiday Inn Rotorua is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, Maori culture and a bustling hub of “thrill-seeking” activity.

Families continually rave about the geo-thermally heated outdoor pool which is warm year-round and has views of the geysers, and the delicious buffet options at Chapman’s Buffet Restaurant.

For further information go to rotorua.holidayinn.com/vik

Watch the VIK campaign video: holidayinn.nz/ROTHI-VIK

Picture caption:

1/ Kids celebrating on the Holiday Inn Rotorua sign

Designworks architect Naomi Rushmer said the company was “thrilled” to be a finalist.

“It’s great news, and a wonderful opportunity to showcase the new design to a wider audience,” she said.

For Crowne Plaza Christchurch, she said the company focused on delivering a creative guest experience based around being welcomed into the property, and how that flowed into relaxation, eating and working across the entire hotel.

“Our brief was to create a premium 4.5 star-hotel experience that put a ‘fresh spin’ on the Crowne Plaza brand as well as making it work locally, and to ignite the theatre and drama of the nearby Performing Arts Precinct,” said Ms Rushmer.

“As the city’s largest hotel, attracting locals and those from across the globe, the design needed to deliver an exciting and unique experience maximizing the 360-degree views of the Port Hills, Southern Alps and Pacific Ocean.”

Designworks centred its thinking around a ‘new energy” in Christchurch.

On arrival at the 204-room hotel, guests are greeted with a welcoming and boldly-crafted interior featuring timber slats wrapping the walls, accentuating height and anchoring the lobby space.

A large freeform mesh ceiling feature glows over the reception pods, inspired by the winding Avon River. The space connects to the adjacent lobby bar through a striking doubled-sided central fireplace, helping draw guests inside.

“The fireplace is very impressive, adding some real drama and mood to the space,” said Ms Rushmer.

Full-height windows flood the ground floor with natural light during the day, and carefully curated and dramatic lighting brings the spaces to life, changing mood and atmosphere, as dusk falls.

The food and beverage experience has been designed as ‘open and theatrical’, showcasing local cuisine from within a crafted café, sophisticated lobby bar and Market Place restaurant, named after the original market on site.

A grand open staircase connects to first floor dining, library and meeting rooms, and feature carpets and rugs draw inspiration from the braided rivers and topography of the South Island.

To maximize the feeling of space in guest rooms and engage with expansive views, glazed bathrooms (with privacy blinds) are open to the rooms and changing vistas.

Large window seats in every room frame the ever-changing views – the seats are designed with portable tables so guests can rest, work and eat from this unique spot.

Ms Rushmer said balancing the needs of brand owner IHG and the building owners had enabled Designworks to deliver a “world-class” design.

Crowne Plaza Christchurch General Manager Reinier Eulink said the hotel team and owners were “delighted” with the stylish look and feel of the property.

“The feedback we’ve had from guests, locals and those using our meeting rooms or food and beverage spaces has been hugely complimentary and we wish Designworks all the best for the awards,” he said.

The Best Design Awards winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland on October 6.

Picture caption:

1/ The grand open staircase at Crowne Plaza Christchurch is brought to life with dramatic lighting features. Photo credit: Designworks